WASHINGTON,D.C. – October 15, 2008 ““ Light Years IP, a nonprofit organization specializing in export business strategies with intellectual property (IP) elements for developing countries, is seeing unprecedented interest levels in using IP tool such as trademarks, licensing, copyrights, patents and branding, as a way to increase the export income of some of the world’s poorest communities. As a result, Light Years IP is stepping up its public outreach to provide more information on the options available.

“With the success of the Ethiopia Fine Coffee trademarking initiative in 2007, we’ve seen a huge demand from other developing countries and producers eager to use intellectual property (IP) strategies to dramatically increase producer income,” said Light Years IP CEO Ron Layton. “Our work shows that IP strategies are not just for the big guys, and can be a significant contributor to poverty alleviation around the world.”

This concept is at odds with a long-standing perception of IP as being about enforcement and control of assets by multinational corporations to the detriment of African’s wellbeing. An introduction to IP concepts and how IP strategies can alleviate poverty using real examples of goods from 14 sub-Saharan African countries with IP potential was released in June 2008 by Light Years IP. It can be downloaded from www.lightyearsip.net/scopingstudy.

In addition, Light Years IP will be presenting these concepts at a variety of upcoming events across the globe over the next few weeks. A few of these include:

• Oct 16th 2008 ““ (London, UK) Ashoka Foundation is hosting Light Years IP to speak to entrepreneurs, students and business affiliates about IP strategies and how they work.
  
• Oct 21st 2008 – (Washington, DC) The US Departments of State and Commerce, Light Years IP, and US Chamber of Commerce are hosting a seminar on “Africa IP in Focus Series” in Washington, DC.

By the end of the month, Light Years IP will announce the planned locations for open access workshops being held across Africa in 2009.

To be notified as new announcements are made, or to inquire about an interview with Light Years IP staff, send an email to [email protected].

About Light Years IP

Light Years IP, a Washington DC non- profit organization that is alleviating poverty for millions by increasing export income and improving income security by assisting low-income export producers to improve their negotiating position through using far-reaching IP-based business strategies.